Adjustable gauge for cutoff saws



' April 20, 1954 G. ELLIS 1 ADJUSTABLE GAUGE FOR CUTOFF SAWS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 18, 1949 1NVENT0R.' 6150265 4521.13,

BY I 1 w i; 62? AOTTOENEY- April 20; 1954 G. L. ELLIS ADJUSTABLE GAUGE FOR CUTOFF SAWS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 18, 1949 INVENTOR- GEORGE Z. E11. 15, BY W a.

QTTOQNEY."

G. L. ELLIS ADJUSTABLE GAUGE FOR CUTOFF SAWS April 20, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 18, 1949 INVENTOR. GEORGE Z. ELL/.9,

Ma 630,096 a "TOQNEY- Patented Apr. 20, 1 954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE GAUGE FOR ou'rorr SAWS George L. Ellis, Los Angeles, Calif. Application Jury 18', 1949, Serial No. 105,398

A type of saw mechanism in extensive use at the present time, comprises a circular saw suspended closely above a table top or other horizontal surface for optional movement by the operator inthe plane of the saw'rand across's'tock or-material resting on said surface, to perform a cutting operation thereon, such as cutting the stock to a predetermined length. 7 h

It is an other object of this invention to provide improved apparatus for use in connection with such 7 mechanism, having an adjustable gauging surface movable toward and awayfrom the saw in accordance with the required length of stock to be cut. g

It is another obje'ctof this invention to provide such apparatus which is continuously adjustable over a wide range of lengths. I

It is another object of this invention to provide such apparatus having novel means indicating the length for which it is set. v I

It is another object of this invention to provide such apparatus which is readily adjustable throughout its entire range without requiring the operator to leave his usual position for operating the saw. J

It is another object of this invention toprov'ide such apparatus wherein the setting means for positioning the gauging surface andthe indicating means are all at that end of the frame adjacent the saw mechanism.

It is another object of this invention to provide such apparatus comprising a unitary structure adapted for use with existing installation of such saw mechanisms. t h

It is another object of this invention to provide such apparatus wherein the gauging surface be set for a length differing from the'no rh nal length by aknown amount without necessitating any calculations. 7

It is another object of'this invention to provide such apparatus having a pair of indicators for showing respectively the nominal lengthier which the gauge is set, and the amount'by which the cut length-of the'work piece will differ there from.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be tirade more easily apparent from a consideration of several embodiments of the invention. For this purpose there are shown several forms in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification, These forms will now be described indetail; illustrating the general prindiples of the invntienfibut it is be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense since the scope of the inven- Figures 2 and 3 are cross sections on an en-- larged scale, taken substantially as indicated by correspondingly numbered lines of Figure 1, Fig: ure 3 showinga different operating position of the parts;

Figure 4 is a detail section on a further enlargedscale, taken substantially as indicated by line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a perspective of a fragment of the measuring element Figure 6 is a plan v ure 1 on a reduced scale;

Figure 7 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale of the operators end of thedevice of Figural;

Figure 8' is a cross section takenv substantially as indicated by line 8--8 of Figure '7;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary section on an en large'd scale taken substantially as indicated by line 9-9 of Figure '7;

Figure 10 is a side elevation of a modified form of the gauging device; 7

Figure 11 is a plan View thereof; and

Figures 12 to 15 are cross sections on an en larged scale taken substantially asindicated bythe correspondingly numbered lines of Figure 10,

Figure 14 showing a different operating posi-' tion of the parts.

Referring to Figure 1, a conventional cut-off saw mechanism of the type sometimes known as a swing cut-off saw, is indicated generally by M and comprises a vertically disposed circular saw I, drivenby a motor 2, and rotatably mounted at the lower end of an arm 3. The arm 3is supported for swinging movement in the plane of the saw :I by a'pin 4 mounted in a stationary member 5 adjustably attached by the aidof a bracket 6 to a fiiredsupport 'l. A table or other structure T provides a horizontal surface it for supporting the stock to be cut by the saw I.

'As' is well understood, the stock W is .po'si-' tioned on the table surface l0 against a longi'tudinally extending guide I! thereon with the point to he cut aligned with the saw I, and the operator, by the aid of the handle 8, then causes the Saw I to traverse the stock W and form the out. To facilitate cutting the stock "to a desired length, the gauging device of the invention indicated generally by G is mountd'on the table T being secured on the guide II. The device G provides a gauging surface S adjustable toward and away from the saw I and serving as a stop engageableby the end of the stock W; the distance of the surface S from the saw determining iew of the device of Fi the length to which the stock will be cut, means being provided for indicating the distance.

Referring in detail to the structure, the device G comprises an elongated angle bar I5 serving as a frame, the horizontal leg I5-a of the bar I5 being secured to the guide I I by screws I6, the vertical leg I54) serving as a guide rail for movably mounting a carriage member II. As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 8, the frame I5 is set back from the face II-a of the guide II, facilitating manipulation of the work piece or stock W by the operator. 7

Sheave Wheels I8 and I9 are rotatably mounted adjacent the opposite ends of the frame l5 by the aid of brackets and 2I respectively secured to the frame I5. A belt-like element 22 extends between the wheels !8 and I9, one reach thereof being connected to the carriage II. Thus, by rotating one of the sheaves I8 or I9, the carriage Il may be moved along the sup-- porting rail I5-b, for which purpose the sheave I8, which is at that end of the frame l5 adjacent the saw mechanism M, is provided with an operating knob 23. Resilient pads or bumpers 20-11, 2 I-a are provided respectively on the brackets 20 and'2I to engage the'carriage I1 and serve as stops to limit its travel along the frame I5.

The carriage I'I comprises a slotted wall 24 with portions 25 and 26 depending on opposite sides of the frame leg IE-b, a pair of rollers- 21 rotatably mounted in cavities 28 in the upper portion of the wall 24, serving to support the carriage I! by engaging the upper edge of the leg- I5-b. The inner wall portion 25 has a pair of bearing lugs 25-a projecting inwardly on opposite sides of anopening 25-12, for rotatably supporting a clamping cam 29 adapted to extend through the opening 25-h, and engage the frame leg I5-b. The arrangement is such that appropriate angular movement of the cam 29 will clamp the leg I5-b between the cam 29 and the outer depending wall portion 26.

For operating the cam 29, a shaft 30 is provided which extends longitudinally of the frame member I5 and is supported at its opposite ends bythe brackets 20 and 2|. The cam 29 is slidable longitudinally on the shaft 30 and is in driving relation therewith by being splined thereto. Thus, the shaft 30 may be square and engage a square opening Si in the cam 29. The shaft 36 projects through the supporting bracket 20 which is at that end of the frame I5 adjacent the saw mechanism M and has an operating handle 32 secured at its outer end.

The gauging surface S is formed on the end of an arm 34 pivotally mounted on the carriage I1, by the aid of a pin 35 for movement into' and out of gauging position. Thus, referring to Figure 1, the arm 34 is urged in a clockwise direction about the pin 35 and against a stop pin 36 so that the gauging surface S is normally facing the saw I. However, the arm 34 may be swung upwardly to clear the work piece or'stock W when desirable, as for example, to permit the cutting of the stock to a length greater than the gauge is set for without disturbing the setting, or to cut alength greater than the maximum length accommodated by the gauge.

Means are provided for indicating the distance between the gauging surface S and the saw I. For this purpose, at least a portion of the beltlike element 22 is appropriately graduated in inches and fractions thereof and may conveniently comprise a section 22-a of a conventional tor 38 (Figure 5).

steel tape or the like of suitable length. One end of the belt section 22-11 is secured to an arm I'I-a on the carriage I! as by a clamping block 31, the belt section 22-a extending therefrom toward the saw mechanism M and partly about the sheave I8, the other end being secured to a steel cable or the like 22-b by the aid of a connec- This cable 22-?) extends from the connector 38 and partly about the other sheave I9 for attachment to the carriage H.

To maintain the belt element 22 appropriately tensioned, the free end portion of the cable 22-1) is passed through a clearance opening Il-b in arm I1 and a compression spring 39 is confined between the arm l'I and a collar 40 secured on the end of the cable 22-bby a set screw 4i.

Means are provided on the frame member !5 at that end adjacent the saw mechanism M for cooperating with the graduated belt section 22-0: to indicate the position of the gauging surface S. Thus, referring to Figures 7 and 8, a rod 44 supported at one end by the end bracket 20, extends a short distance substantially parallel with the belt section 22-11 and slidably mounts an element 45 having an upward extension 45-a passing behind the belt 22-a and having a wire index 0r pointer 45b extending in close proximity across the face of the belt 22-a for cooperating with the indicia thereon. The element 545 is maintained in adjusted position by a set screw 46 which engages the rod 44.

A second index or pointer is provided between the pointer 45-!) and the saw I. Thus, an element'4l' bearing the pointer 41-11 is slidable on the rod 44, being secured in adjusted position by the knurled nuts 48 and 49. threaded on the rod 44 and between which theelement 41 is confined. This second index 4'I-a enables the setting of the gauging surface S for cutting pieces of a length less than a nominal length in a simple manner and without need of calculation. For this purpose, the'index 4'I-a-is set-at the required decrease in length from the index 45-12, as indicated on the graduated belt section 22-a, and the belt 22 is then set to bring the nominal length opposite the index 4'I-a instead of the index 45-h.

In Figure 7,'the index 45-1) is shown at the mark 34 on the graduated belt section 22-a, and the gauging surface S is accordingly spaced 34 inches from the saw I for cutting pieces of that'length. -The other index 4T-a is shown as spaced three and three eighths inches from the index 45-h as indicated by the graduations on the belt 22. Accordingly, if the belt 22 is adjusted tobring the mark 34, which may be considered-the nominallength, into alignment with the index 4'I-a, the'gauging surface S will be spaced 34 inches less 3 and %-inches or 30 and inches from the saw. It will be obvious that the distance at which the frame [Bis mounted from'the saw I and the graduated belt section 22-a must be so correlated that the gauging surfaces will :be spaced from the saw I by the distance indicated on the'belt section 22--c by the index 45b.

In using the device, the operator, by means of the knob 23-, rotates the sheave wheels I 8, adjusting the position of the carriage I 7 until the index 45-b shows on the graduated belt section 2Za that the gauging surface S is spaced from the saw I by a distance equal to the desired length of the cut stock, and then manipulates the lever 32 to clamp the'carriage I1 against accidental movement. This distance can be altered when desired by operating the lever 32 to release the carriage H for further movement by appropriate rotation of the sheave vs'rheel 18. Optionally, if the length to which the stock is to be (fut le greater than the distance between the surface S and the saw I, the carriage H when released may be moved to the desired position by pushing against the surface S with the end of the stock.

An important feature of the device is the arrangement of the parts so that the setting of the gauging surface can be readily accomplished without requiring the operator to leave the position from which he operates the saw mechanism M;

invention and straddling the vertical leg 55 of v V the frame 55. The carriage 5e .pivotally mounts the arm 51 which carries the gauging surface S and is movable into and out of gauging position as before. 7

The position of the carriage 58 on the name 55 is adjusted by the aid of a graduated belt 58' whichextendsover the sheave wheels 60 and 6! rotatably mounted on brackets 6-2 and 63 respectively adjacent and is anchored to the carriage 56 by the aid of arm 56-h thereon. "re maintain the belt 58 properly tensioned, the bracket 63 comprises an arm 63-11 which mounts the sheave 6 I r and is pivotally supported at 63-1) on a block 53-c fixed to the bar rormcvementtowara and away from the other sheave so, being urged away therefrom 'by a tension spring 63 "connected between the arm 6341' and a P'OSt 65 O'fi'tli frame [5.

The carriage 56 is urged along the frame 15 toward that end adjacent the saw. mec anism M by a cable 51, which'pa'sses' over a pulley :68 to a winding drum '69 "fotatably supported by the aid or arms'fll depending 'fr'om'tiie frame 5'; A Smaller Winding 'dl'l'lfil 1| -1S (i( Jfifflted to rotate with drum 69 and has a cable 11* wound thereon suspending a weight 13'. 'Ihe arrangement is such-"that the weight 13 urges the drum 69 in cable winding direction, the dual drum construction reducing the required travel of the weight 13 for a given movement of the carriage 56.

The carriage 55 is clamped in adjusted position by a cam 14 rotatably mounted on the carriage and movable into and out of engagement with the vertical frame leg 55-12 by the aid of shaft 15 extending lengthwise of the frame 55 and having an operating arm '15. The cam-member 14 is slidable on the shaft 15 and is in driving relation therewith by the aid of a splined connection formed by key 14-a which engages a key way l5-a extending substantially the full length of the shaft.

A plurality of indices are provided for cooperating with the graduated belt 58 to indicate the relationship between the gauging surface S and the saw I, the main index showing the true distance being indicated by the numeral 11, one or more secondary indices each being indicated by the numeral 18. Each of the indices as 11 comprises a pointer 'lI-a formed on a U-shaped clip l'll-b slidable on a bar 80 extending parallel with the belt 58 from a suitable support 8| on the As previously discussed, if it is desired to cut apiece the opposite ends of the frame !5- 6 frame 15, the clip T'I-b being secured in adjusted position by a set screw'82.

The manner of operating this form of the de' vice is quite similar to that of the first described form, it being noted that all parts are arranged so that the operator is not required to leave his operating position adjacent the saw mechanism M. However, since the carriage 56 is biased by the mechanism '6|-'l3 to a position setting the surface S for minimum cutting'length, the position of the carriage for increased lengths is adjusted by pushing with the end of the stock against the gauging surface S with sufficient'fo'rce to overcome the biasing force.

I claim:

1; In an adjustable gauge for usewith a cutoff saw mechanism:"an'elongated frame adapted for mounting to extend transversely away from the saw and-with one end adjacentv said mechanism; a sheave wheel rotatably mounted adjacent each end of said frame; 'a'flexible element extending between said sheave wheels for longi-- tudinal movement in response to rotation there-.

of; a member having a gauging surface, movable longitudinally on said frame and attached to said element, whereby said surface is adjustable with respect to :saidsaw upon movement of: said element; '"a' graduated scale on said element; a rod fixed to said frame; a main index elementslidable on said rod toward and away from the saw-and cooperating with said scale to indicate the dis--.

7 tance of said gauging surface from the saw; and a second index element slidable on said rod inter: mediate said main index and said saw and cooperating with said scale for locating said gauging surface at a position closer to said saw by a desired amount.

2. In an adjustable gauge for use with a cut-off saw mechanism: an elongated frame adapted for mounting to extend transversely away from the saw andxwith one end -adjacent said mechanism;

a sheave wheel rotatably mounted adjacent each end of said frame;

movement in response to 'rotationthereofj a member; having at gauging surface, movable lone gitudinally on said frame and attached'to'said element, whereby said surface is adjustable-with respect to said saw 'up'on' movement of said element; ai'od fixed to said frame in parallel relation to said element; a graduated scale on said element; 'amain index slidable on said rod toward and away from the saw and cooperating with said scale to indicate the distance of said gauging surface from the saw; a second index slidable on said rod intermediate said main index and said saw and cooperating with said scale for 10- cating said gauging surface at a position closer to said saw by a desired amount on said scale; and means for adjusting said second index including nuts adjustable on said rod on opposite sides of said second index.

3. In an adjustable gauge for use with a cutoff saw mechanism: an elongated frame adapted for mounting to extend transversely away from the saw and with one end adjacent said mechanism; a sheave wheel rotatably mounted adjacent each end of said frame; a flexible element extending in a belt-like manner between said a flexible element extending between "said sheave wheels for longitudinal one of said ends including a spring interposed between said end and said member for tensioning said element; and an element mounted on said frame :adjacent said flexible elementand cooperating therewith to form a scale and pointer mechanism to indicate the position of said surface with respect to the saw.

4. In an adjustable gauge for use with a cutoff saw mechanism: an elongated frame adapted for mounting to extend transversely away from the saw and with one end adjacent said mechanism, said frame including a longitudinally extending, upstanding rail; a member having a gauging surface, and straddling said rail, supported and guided thereon for movement 1ongitudinally of said frame; means adjacent said end for indicating the position of said surface with respect to said saw; a shaft mounted on said frame; and cam means splined on said shaft for angular movement therewith and sliding movement thereon; a pair of opposed lugs on said member; said cam means being retained between said lugs; and means for turning said shaft to move said cam means into contact with said rail fo'r'clamping said member in adjusted position therealong.

- 5. In an adjustable gauge for use with a cutoff saw mechanism: an elongated frame adapted for mounting to extend transversely away from the saw and with one end adjacent said mechanism, said frame including a longitudinally extending, upstanding rail; a member having a gauging surface, and straddling said rail, supported and guided thereon for movement longitudinally of said frame; means adjacent said end for indicating the position of said surface With respect to said saw; a pair of opposed lugs extending from said member; a shaft mounted on said frame; said lugs having openings therein through which said shaft extends to permit sliding of the lugs on the shaft; a cam confined between said lugs; means forming a splined connection between said shaft and. said cam; said cam being movable into and out of contact with said reel'responsive to turning of said shaft; and means operable from an end of the frame for turning said shaft.

6. In an adjustable gauge for use with a cut-off saw mechanism: an elongated frame adapted for mounting to extend transversely away from the saw and with one end adjacent said mechanism, said frame including a longitudinally extending,

upstanding rail; a member having a gauging surface, and straddling said rail, supported and guided thereon for movement longitudinally of said frame; means adjacent said'end for in dicating the position of said surface with respect to said saw; opposed portions on said members; cam means mounted for angular movement between said portions to engage said rail for clamping said member in adjusted position therealong; an angularly movable shaft extending longitudinally of said frame through said opposed portions; means forming a splined connection between said shaft and said cam means; means for operating said shaft and rollers on said member riding on said frame.

7. In an adjustable gauge for use with a cutoff saw mechanism: an elongated frame adapted for mounting to extend transversely away from the saw and with one end adjacent said mechanism; said frame including a longitudinally extending rail; a member having a gauging surface and guided for movement on said frame by portions extending on opposite sides of said rail; opposed lugs on said member; cam means mounted for angular movement between said lugs to engage one side of said rail and urge it into clamping engagement with that portion of said member on the opposite side of said rail; an angularly movable shaft extending longitudinally of said frame and through said lugs and said cam means; said member and said cam means being slidable on said shaft; and means for turning said shaft to operate said cam means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 334,141 Welch Jan. 12, 1886 1,123,711 Dris'coll Jan. 5, 1915 1,289,034 Hall Dec. 24, 1918 1,375,159 Krocker Apr. 19, 1921 1,453,335 Bennett May 1, 1923 1,504,248 Johnson Aug. 12, 1924 1,823,268 Gordon Sept. 15, 1931 1,945,883 Connelly Feb. 6, 1934 2,326,416 Tracy Aug. 10, 1943 2,518,728 Snow Aug. 15, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 29,817 Sweden Nov. 19, 1910 

